In this episode Dave, John and JD kick of 2018 by looking back on the year that was 2017. Discussing their favorite movies, TV shows and moments of 2017. Plus their least favorite moments. The audience is polled on their favorite comic book film of 2017 and what are the guys looking forward to in 2018. Sit back and enjoy!

“I am Polaris.” Words I never expected to hear my whole life. I didn’t even expect to hear it when I spoke with Emma Dumont who plays Polaris (aka Lorna Dane) on Fox’s THE GIFTED.

Polaris’s Journey

I picked up my first X-Men comic by the time I turned seven years old. Polaris (aka Lorna Dane) almost instantly earned a spot on my favorites list. She persevered through witnessing a genocide, her fiance abandoning her at the altar, being possessed by a psychic vampire, the list goes on and on. Despite her difficult journey, at the core of Lorna Dane’s personality lies the naked struggle for a human being to survive, to persevere and thrive.

Polaris’s story is universal. We have all experienced it one time or another. Unfortunately for some, they experience these downturns a lot more than most. For more than thirty years, I imagined what the experience of meeting Lorna Dane might feel like. This Emma Dumont interview granted me that wish, a wish I never fathomed would become reality.

Emma Dumont Researched the $%@& out of Lorna Dane!

Once, a friend described comic book fandom as similar to the NRA. I wish he was 100% wrong. We’re all too aware the national conversation has descended into the gutter. It somehow managed to seep its way into comic book culture, a medium sprung out of oppression. In the past, comic book fans criticized movie counterparts from their favorite comics harshly. On occasion, cause exists when an actor’s disdain for portraying a comic book character is obvious. In the case of Emma Dumont, nothing could be further from the truth.

Recently, ComicsVerse conducted a two-hour podcast all about Lorna Dane (aka Polaris). I, personally, re-read over 200 issues in the months preceding the podcast. Before our interview started, I meant to ask if Emma had read any comics with Polaris in them. I felt so nervous that I forgot to ask. Not too long into the conversation, I realized Emma was as versed, if not more, in all the comics featuring Polaris we read, every comic book reader’s dream when it comes to how they want actors to approach their favorite characters!

Emma Dumont, the Artist

I often caught myself talking too much during the interview. Please accept my apologies in advance. Talking with Emma felt so natural, like talking with any number of my good female friends. Just when I thought things couldn’t get more awesome, something profound happened. We gave it lip service several times in the interview.

However, experiencing this felt so different than simply knowing it. Emma Dumont committed herself so intensely to the role of Lorna Dane that differences between them ceased to exist. I’m not hyperbolizing. I bore witness to art in its purest form — an artist sitting in their truth with their need overlapping their character’s need. It wasn’t a scene. Emma certainly wasn’t acting, and that didn’t take anything away from the experience.

Emotional Truths

Hollywood too often stinks of bullshit and huge egos. Emma Dumont’s humility and sense of self appear to allow her to create art on network television. Emma doesn’t hold any punches when it comes to expressing her fear that THE GIFTED too closely resembles life under the Trump Administration for minorities. Referring to herself as a privileged white girl, she states her plight.

Emma Dumont’s goal is for people to understand how closely the discrimination and oppression her character experiences in THE GIFTED is real for too many people. Emma’s commitment to understanding something she says she hasn’t experienced makes her goal even nobler. However, after discussing her history in more detail, Emma felt like an outcast growing up too.

What we are privy to in Emma Dumont’s portrayal of Polaris is nothing short of lucky. As the audience, we get to experience Emma struggling in a world that discriminates and judges. Every week, we get to see her live in her pain. The world isn’t safe for everyone. Emma Dumont wants us to know that so fiercely she surrenders her comfort and emotional armor in order for us to see what its like for people who have it worse than we do. In sacrificing that, Lorna Dane becomes even more of a living breathing human being.

Emma Dumont: “I am Polaris”

I grew up with Polaris as part of my life, and I care deeply about her character’s portrayal in comics and on the screen. I feel connected with her journey, and I meant it in the interview when I said Emma Dumont is the Polaris X-Men fans have been waiting for. My only regret is not telling Emma she’s the artist Polaris has been waiting for.

Emma Dumont isn’t kidding when she says “I am Polaris.”

I went into the interview knowing Polaris is a superhero. By the time the interview finished, I left knowing Emma Dumont is a superhero too.

Jimmy did the press roundtables for GOTHAM while at New York Comic Con. He talked to Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Erin Richards, Camren Bicondova, Jessica Lucas, Robin Lord Taylor, Crystal Reed, Chris Chalk, David Mazouz, Sean Pertwee, Morena Baccarin, Cory Michael Smith and Drew Powell. How do the new players fit into the mix? What’s up with Bruce and his new outfit? Is Penguin’s empire secure? Give a listen and then watch the show to see what happens?. Leave your iTunes comments! 5 stars and nothing but love! Also, get a hold of us!

X-Men film franchise spin-off THE GIFTED premieres on Fox Television October 2017. It will feature prominent longtime X-Men teammate Polaris aka Lorna Dane. Polaris happens to be the daughter of Magneto. Created in the 1960’s, almost original X-Men character Polaris plays the role of the on-again/off-again daughter of Magneto. In honor of the television debut of the character of Polaris, ComicsVerse hosted a podcast about Polaris’s role in THE GIFTED as well as the emotional identity of Lorna Dane.

Jimmy has tamed the beast that was San Diego Comic Con and survived to tell the tales! Here, you’ll hear his recap of the show. Just a few fun tidbits of what went down, people he met, celebs he saw, elbows he rubbed, parties, roundtable sessions, interviews, awesome press rooms, hotels, outside of Comic Con, and all of the madness! He mostly did press rooms but managed to get some 1:1 interviews as well. He chatted with the Clare Kramer (“Glory” on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) about her new documentary that she directed called Joyrider. He also talked to pop star Lights about her upcoming album Skin & Earth and the comic book mini-series she created/wrote/drew/colored/lettered/etc. that coincides with it. On the last day of the con, he conversed with Shannon Wheeler about his new book Sh*t My President Says as well as his past work. And finally, Jimmy had his annual therapy session interview with clinical psychologist pal Dr. Andrea Letamendi discussing superheroes, Star Wars, and real life issues.

Starting next week and the following few weeks after, there will be no regular format shows. Only SDCC press room specials. Jimmy needs that long just to recover from all of the craziness that is Comic Con International. You will hear roundtables for Inhumans, Wynonna Earp, Doctor Who, Legends of Tomorrow, Batman and Harley Quinn, Dirk Gently, Supergirl, Dark Matter, Battlestar Galactica reunion, Gotham, iZombie, Justice League Action, Lucifer and Teen Titans Go! He missed some rooms that he wanted to cover but boy howdy did he still cover a lot!

Leave your iTunes comments! 5 stars and nothing but love! Also, get a hold of us!